Priming

Priming is a low-cost, time-efficient strategy that provides for students who need structure and predictability, Priming is an intervention that introduces information or activities prior to their use. The purposes of priming are to (a) familiarize the child with the material before its use; (b) introduce predictability into the information or activity, thereby, reducing stress and anxiety; and (c) increase the child’s success. Priming typically involves showing the actual materials that will be used in a lesson the day before or the morning before the activity. In some cases, priming may occur right before the activity, such as when a peer mentor overviews what will occur during the science experiment just prior to the beginning of science class.

Priming can occur in the classroom or at home. It is most effective when it is built in as a part of the student’s routine. Priming should occur in an environment that is relaxing. The mood of the primer should be patient and encouraging. The priming sessions should be short. Material should be introduced; priming is not teaching, correcting, or testing.

According to Wilde, Koegel, and Koegel (1992) priming typically consists of four steps:

Collaboration – It is important to determine up front who is going to prime and what activities/lessons will be involved in priming. A resource room teacher may prime content for a general education classroom, a parent may prime, a paraprofessional may prime, or an older student may prime the child with Asperger Syndrome. Priming may be needed for some activities, but not others. It is imperative that collaboration occur between the teacher and the primer to address these important issues.

Communication – An open line of communication must exist between the teacher and the primer. Some of the questions that must be addressed are:

Who will prepare the priming materials?

Where and when can the primer access the priming materials?

How will the primer notify the teacher that the priming has occurred?

How will the primer and teacher handle last minute changes in the activities/lessons that may not have a priming opportunity?

How will it be determined that priming is an effective strategy?

How will problems be addressed?

Is a scheduled meeting time needed to overview how priming is proceeding?

Priming – During this step, the primer shows the student what will occur during the lesson by introducing the materials and class expectations. The primer may condense the activities onto an index card that the child can carry to class and refer to as needed. The student is reinforced for attending to the material.

Feedback – The teacher and primer should determine how feedback should occur. Some may choose to use a form that reports how priming went during the session and its results during the lesson/activity. This type of communication is efficient without being time consuming. If problems occur during priming, brainstorm sessions may be needed to alter the sessions.

Priming is a relatively easy and time-efficient strategy to help children and youth improve their academic and behavioral skills. An investment in priming can increase confidence as well as reduce stress and anxiety.

Sample References and Resources

Bainbridge, N., & Myles, B. S. (1999). The use of priming to introduce toilet training to a child with autism. Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities, 14(2), 106-109.